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A3683 Cakile spp. - Ipomoea spp. Sparse Beach Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This vegetation combines sparse beach vegetation from the outer coastal zone from North Carolina to Texas and adjacent Mexico dominated by various combinations of Cakile species (Cakile constricta, Cakile edentula ssp. harperi, Cakile geniculata) and Ipomoea species (Ipomoea pes-caprae, Ipomoea imperati).

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Searocket species - Morning-glory species Sparse Beach Alliance

Colloquial Name: Searocket - Morning-glory Sparse Beach

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance combines sparse beach vegetation from the southern coastal plains from North Carolina to Texas dominated by various combinations of Cakile species (Cakile constricta, Cakile edentula ssp. harperi, Cakile geniculata) and Ipomoea species (Ipomoea pes-caprae, Ipomoea imperati). Other typical species include Canavalia rosea, Chamaesyce mesembrianthemifolia, Iva imbricata, Portulaca spp., Sesuvium portulacastrum, and others. This vegetation includes annual-dominated sand flats on island end flats and upper ocean beaches, within the reach of storm tides and extreme lunar tides.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This sparse beach vegetation from the outer coastal zone from North Carolina to Texas is dominated by various combinations of Cakile and Ipomoea species.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance consists of sparse beach vegetation from the outer coastal zone of the southeastern United States and adjacent Mexico.

Floristics: Examples of this vegetation are dominated by various combinations of Cakile species (Cakile constricta, Cakile edentula ssp. harperi, Cakile geniculata) and Ipomoea species (Ipomoea pes-caprae, Ipomoea imperati). Other typical species include Canavalia rosea, Chamaesyce mesembrianthemifolia, Iva imbricata, Portulaca spp., Sesuvium portulacastrum, and others. In the South Atlantic coastal zone, other characteristic species include mostly annual herbs, such as the rare Amaranthus pumilus, Chamaesyce bombensis, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, and Salsola kali ssp. kali. The composition and structure of some southern examples show transition towards some tropical beach vegetation.

Dynamics:  This vegetation is well-adapted to re-establishing itself after disturbance through wave dispersal. It occurs in narrow bands along subtropical coasts and is impacted by coastal development which limits natural areas for its re-establishment. It endures periodic overwash from saltwater, ponding from heavy rains, and drought.
Environmental Description:  This vegetation includes annual-dominated sand flats on island end flats and upper ocean beaches, within the reach of storm tides and extreme lunar tides. The South Atlantic Coast phase of this vegetation occupies the upper portion of ocean beaches in the southern part (Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to Cape Romain, South Carolina) of the microtidal region (barrier islands with coastal geomorphology dominated by hurricane overwash rather than tidal energy).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found from North Carolina to Texas and adjacent Mexico, in the immediate coastal zone.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, MXTAM, NC, SC, TX


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D026 2.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Na.1 Eastern North American Coastal Beach & Rocky Shore Macrogroup M060 2.B.4.Na.1
Group 2.B.4.Na.1.a South Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Beach Group G661 2.B.4.Na.1.a
Alliance A3683 Searocket species - Morning-glory species Sparse Beach Alliance A3683 2.B.4.Na.1.a
Association CEGL004398 Gulf Coast Searocket Sparse Beach Vegetation CEGL004398 2.B.4.Na.1.a
Association CEGL004401 Harper''s Searocket Sparse Beach Vegetation CEGL004401 2.B.4.Na.1.a
Association CEGL004402 Bayhops - Beach Morning-glory - (Gulf Searocket) Sparse Beach Vegetation CEGL004402 2.B.4.Na.1.a
Association CEGL007009 Beach morning-glory - Harper''s Searocket Sparse Beach Vegetation CEGL007009 2.B.4.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes members from three old alliances A.1581 (2/3); A.1860 (1/1); and A.1861 (1/5).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by A.S. Weakley.

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
  • Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
  • Wieland, R. G. 1994a. Marine and estuarine habitat types and associated ecological communities of the Mississippi Coast. Museum Technical Report 25. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. 270 pp.